Gems emerge from series introductions

TWO recent summer conventions, Otakon in Baltimore and the San Diego Comic-Con, featured American publishers rolling out 69 new anime and manga series.

As time passes and these series hit store shelves, the market will certainly determine which ones will succeed and which will fail. For now, though, here are the announcements that made me sit up and take notice:

"Crayon Shin-chan" (CMX): This marks the second go-round for the manga exploits of the precocious 5-year-old; ComicsOne managed to release 10 volumes before being devoured by DrMaster in 2005. With CMX taking over publishing duties and the anime "Shin-chan" airing in Cartoon Network's Adult Swim lineup (albeit with heavily edited English dialogue), it will be interesting to note whether the manga enjoys success this second time.

"Me and the Devil Blues" (Del Rey): Robert Johnson was a real-life musician, considered a top Delta blues man. He also sold his soul to the devil ... at least, according to popular legend, as well as in this fictional account by Akira Hiromoto. It's a story concept that makes you think, "Hmm ... this just might be crazy enough to work."

"Slam Dunk" (Viz): In 2004, the first U.S. attempt to publish this manga tale of a street punk-turned-star basketball player ended when publisher Gutsoon Entertainment went kaput. In 2005 a note in the first issue of Viz's Shonen Jump magazine hinted that this series was "coming soon." Two years after THAT, this series really IS coming soon. Meanwhile, manga fans in Australia already can buy the complete 31-volume series translated into English. I shed a tear for U.S. industry.

"Honey & Clover" (Viz), "Nana" (Viz) and "Ouran High School Host Club" (Funimation): These are three of the more eagerly anticipated anime series based on manga published under Viz's Shojo Beat imprint. "H&C" follows a trio of art college students and plays up the uncertainties of romance. "Nana" is about two roommates, both named Nana, who have different personalities; one is innocent and floaty, while the other is a confident punk-rock singer. "Ouran" is about a group of pretty rich boys whose goal is to treat the girls of their school like royalty ... and the plain girl drafted into their ranks.

"Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney" (Del Rey): This is the manga adaptation of the series of Nintendo DS games in which players act as lawyers in a series of court cases and shout "OBJECTION!!!" into the microphone a lot. Hopefully, the manga's story will measure up to the quality of the games so that fans won't shout that at Del Rey, as well ...

Coming up Sunday

'Tis the season to head back to school ... but you'll have to forgive the students attending schools in certain manga series for not being enthused about it. I'll look at the schools from hell portrayed in "After School Nightmare," "Battle Royale" and "School Zone," in "Drawn & Quartered" in the Sunday Today section ...

Cel Shaded, a look at the world of Japanese anime and manga, appears every Monday. Reach Jason S. Yadao at jyadao@starbulletin.com